Eleanor Roosevelt had spoken often of her concern for the country's children.

"I have moments of real terror when I think we might be losing this
generation. We have got to bring these young people into the active life of the community and make them feel that they are necessary."
--New York Times, 5/34

Thousands of children and young adults wrote letters to her, asking for help. They talked to her as a confidant with whom they could share the details of their lives, no matter how painful or even embarrassing to them. In their letters, they seem certain that the First Lady will come to their aid.